Department for Transport

Motor Vehicles: Exports

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the (1) procedure, and (2) protocol, for the temporary export of classic cars to (a) Hungary, and (b) the rest of the EU, for (i) repair, and (ii) return, to the UK.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: There is no requirement to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that a vehicle has been temporarily exported. All UK-registered vehicles must either remain registered or the keeper must only notify the DVLA if it has been permanently exported. A UK-registered vehicle can be driven to Hungary or an EU member state and used in that country for up to six months in any 12-month period. The vehicle must remain properly registered and licensed in the UK and have a valid MoT (if needed). If a vehicle is to be permanently exported, the vehicle keeper must complete the ‘export’ section of the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) and return it to the DVLA. The vehicle record will then be amended to show that the vehicle has been permanently exported. The remaining part of the V5C will need to be retained and provided to the relevant vehicle registration authority as required. The keeper of a vehicle which is registered in the UK and is significantly restored or rebuilt should notify the DVLA. An inspection of the vehicle or other evidence may be required to ensure the vehicle register is updated where necessary.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plansthey have tooffer incentives for companies to invest in a nationwide system of publicelectric vehiclecharging stations.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The UK has been a global front-runner in supporting provision of charging infrastructure along with private sector investment. Of the £2.5 billion of Government funding committed to the electric vehicle (EV) transition since 2020, over £1.6 billion will be used to support charging infrastructure. Our UK electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy (published 25 March 2022) sets out our vision and commitments to make EV charging cheaper and more convenient than refuelling at a petrol station. To ensure that the transition to EVs takes place in every part of the country, we are pledging at least £500 million to support local chargepoint provision. As part of this, the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) fund will provide approximately £400 million of capital and £50 million of resource funding to support local authorities to work with industry and transform the availability of charging for drivers without off-street parking. In addition, to ensure the private sector can continue to expand the charging network at pace in the 2020s, the Government will invest £950 million in future proofing grid capacity at motorway and major A road service areas to prepare the network for uptake of zero emission cars and vans ahead of need.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Billing

Lord Sikka: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce legislation requiringenergy supply companies to ring-fence credit balances owed to customers.

Lord Callanan: Ofgem published a consultation on 20 June setting out their proposals for protecting customer credit balances, including a ringfencing mechanism.

Department of Health and Social Care

Cannabis: Prescriptions

Lord Field of Birkenhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prescriptions for cannabis have been issued each year since 2018in England

Lord Kamall: The following table shows the number of items for licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines prescribed on a National Health Service prescription, dispensed in the community and submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority in England between January 2018 and April 2022, the latest data available. We are unable to provide data on NHS prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based medicines, due to the number of items attributed to fewer than five patients which could identify individuals.NHS prescription items20182019202020212022 January to AprilLicensed cannabis-based medicines2,5912,6362,6812,9811,171  The following table shows the number of items for licensed and unlicensed cannabis-based medicines prescribed on a private prescription, dispensed in the community and submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority between January 2018 and April 2022, the latest data available. Data on unlicensed prescriptions in 2018 is held for November and December only and January in 2022.  Private prescription items dispensed20182019202020212022Licensed cannabis-based medicines2435292817Unlicensed cannabis-based medicines02784,46942,393385 Data licensed cannabis-based medicines prescribed in secondary care since 2018 is not collected centrally.

Department for Education

Health Services and Social Services: BTEC Qualifications

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken an impact assessment on the decision to end the provision of the BTEC qualification in Health and Social Care with regard to (1) NHS workforce numbers, (2) social care workforce numbers, and (3) patient safety.

Baroness Barran: The department has been clear that we will continue to fund some BTECs and other qualifications in future, where there is a clear need for skills and knowledge that A levels and T Levels cannot provide, and where they meet new quality standards. These will continue to play an important role for 16 to 19 year olds and adults. This includes for students taking qualifications such as BTECs as their full programme of study, where there is no A level or T Level, and those taking mixed programmes of A levels and other qualifications. We expect to fund small academic qualifications that should typically be taken alongside A levels in priority subject areas such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and in areas where an A level is not available, such as health and social care. We will set out the full approval criteria in due course.The health T Level will help raise awareness amongst young people of the occupational choices within the healthcare sector and provide an opportunity for employers to strengthen their engagement with local schools and colleges. In addition, the health T Level will provide a pipeline of young talent who may move into Trainee Nursing Associate and Assistant Health Practitioner roles, later progressing to the registered occupations.In November last year the department announced an extra year before our reforms are implemented, including the removal of overlapping qualifications. This extra year will allow the department to continue to support the growth of T Levels and gives more notice to providers, awarding organisations, employers, students and parents so that they can prepare for the changes.

The Senior Deputy Speaker

Parliament: Telephone Services

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessmenthas been made of dissatisfaction with the parliamentary phone system expressed in the House of Lords Members Survey; and whether that will lead to a procurement review.

Lord Touhig: The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The Chief Information Officer and Managing Director of the Parliamentary Digital Service has noted Members’ dissatisfaction with the existing telephone handset solution expressed in the House of Lords’ Member Survey and has accepted the need to take remedial action.An investment programme mandate to replace the current service which is now end of life has been recently approved by the bicameral Digital Strategy Board and will formally begin over the summer recess with the development of a business case alongside continued market research and implementation planning. The programme will prioritise addressing Members’ clear dissatisfaction with the telephone handsets. The programme has begun engaging with Members to ensure that the replacement solution addresses the dissatisfaction and will continue to do so after the summer recess.At its meeting on the 26 May the Services Committee was advised that the project timelines had not yet been defined but it was expected that all user migration would be completed by the end of 2023.

Treasury

Russia: Sanctions

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many applications have been made for licences to permit legal advice to be given to sanctioned (1) individuals, or (2) entities, since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February; and how many of those applications have been (a) granted, (b) refused, and (c) not yet dealt with.

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government how manyapplications have been made for licences to permit payment for legal (1) advice, or (2) representation, since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February; and how many of those applications have been (a) granted, (b) refused, and (c) not yet dealt with.

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government what isthe median time taken to determine licence applications to permit payment for legal (1) advice, or (2) representation.

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government how manyapplications for licences to permit payment for legal (1) advice, or (2) representation, have been made by (a) barristers, or (b) solicitors.

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government howmany people are employed to deal with applications for licences to permit payment for legal (1) advice, or (2) representation.

Baroness Penn: The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) in HM Treasury is responsible for financial sanctions enforcement. OFSI may issue a licence to enable the payment of reasonable fees and/or expenses for the provision of legal services. Providing legal services to a designated person or entity subject to financial sanctions restrictions is not prohibited, a licence is only required to permit payment for these services. OFSI aims to engage with the substance of licence applications within 4 weeks, however application times can vary where further information is required. From June 2021 to June 2022 OFSI issued 29 licences for the payment of legal fees. OFSI is unable to provide all of the information requested as it does not collate information on legal expenses licence applications broken down by (a) legal advice and (b) legal representation, or by the involvement of sanctioned (1) individuals or (2) entities, or by the live status of the application, and it would involve disproportionate costs to gather. The number of active staff in OFSI since Financial Year 2016-2017 can be found in the table below:Financial YearTotal number of staff2016-2017272017-2018302018-2019362019-2020382020-202140 In light of recent developments in Ukraine, the number of staff has since increased. Releasing further details of OFSI’s headcount by function could prejudice its operational effectiveness.OFSI publishes an Annual Review containing information on the breakdown of legal expenses licences issued during the preceding financial year. The 2020/21 Annual Review can be found on gov.uk. Data for the 2021/22 financial year is expected to be published in the Autumn and this will include a further update of total OFSI headcount.

Cryptocurrencies: Regulation

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatplans they have to create a bespoke regulatory framework for the UK cryptoasset sector.

Baroness Penn: At Fintech Week 2022, the Government set out our firm ambition to make Britain a global hub for cryptoasset technology and investment. The UK is committed to creating a regulatory environment in which firms can innovate, while crucially maintaining financial stability and regulatory standards so that people can use new technologies both reliably and safely. The UK is taking a dynamic approach to engagement with the industry, and the government has committed to consult later this year on the broader regulation of cryptoassets, as part of a staged approach to developing a world-leading regime for cryptoasset activities.

Ukraine: Refugees

Baroness Sugg: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost of hosting refugees from Ukraine for the calendar year 2022; and whether this cost will be borne by the Official Development Assistance budget.

Baroness Penn: The cost of hosting refugees from Ukraine for the calendar year 2022 will be determined by the number of arrivals by year end. As of 14 July, total arrivals of Ukraine Scheme visa holders in the UK are 95,400, of which 29,700 have arrived under the Ukraine Family Scheme and 65,600 have arrived under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme. Under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, the government is providing sponsors £350 per month per address for up to 12 months. Local Authorities will also receive an extra £10,500 for every arrival under this scheme. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published Local Authority funding allocations for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland[1]. An extra tariff has also been agreed for children’s education costs. Arrivals under both schemes have immediate entitlement to employment support, pensions, health provision, education and access to benefits. Eligible costs will be reported as ODA and counted towards the 0.5% GNI ODA spending commitment. ODA eligible spend will be reported in the annual Statistics on International Development publication.[2] [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homes-for-ukraine-funding-march-to-may-2022[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-on-international-development

Finance Act 1986

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatplans they have to replace the reference of the “recognised stock exchange” with "multilateral trading facility" in section 99A(5) of the Finance Act 1986.

Baroness Penn: Section 99A(5) of the Finance Act 1986 sets out the conditions by which a market qualifies for recognition by HMRC as a recognised growth market for the purposes of the growth market exemption from Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax. Replacing the reference to a ‘recognised stock exchange’ with ‘multilateral trading facility’ would have the effect of extending the recognised growth market exemption from Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax to markets that are not part of a recognised stock exchange. There are currently no plans to extend the recognised growth market exemption from Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax to markets that are not part of a recognised stock exchange. However, as with all aspects of the tax system, the Government will continue to keep this legislation under review.

Economic Situation

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects of total global debt reaching 352 per cent of Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of this year; and what steps they will take in response.

Baroness Penn: HM Government continually monitors developments in the global economy, including public and private debt levels, interest rates and the growth outlook, among other macroeconomic indicators. Total global debt increased following the onset of the pandemic in 2020, reflecting a rise in public and private debt. Public debt increased as governments introduced fiscal support to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods, whilst revenues fell in line with the broader decline in economic activity. This fiscal support helped maintain living standards and support global growth. Private debt has also increased, with government policies helping to maintain private access to credit to mitigate a more severe downturn. Higher global debt levels can increase financial fragilities and lower growth by reducing investment. Against a backdrop of higher debt levels, rapidly rising global interest rates and higher energy and food prices may worsen balance of payment and fiscal pressures and increase risks of debt distress, particularly for some emerging and developing economies. HMG works closely with major international organisations, including the IMF, World Bank, to understand how debt levels are changing, and on necessary international policy responses, including appropriate support for economies experiencing debt distress. For example, the UK has committed to channelling circa up to 20% of its allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from the IMF’s 2021 general allocation of SDRs to those countries most in need; and is driving forward the implementation of the G20/Paris Club Common Framework for debt treatment to support eligible low-income countries with unsustainable debt. In the April World Economic Outlook the IMF emphasised the need for guaranteeing an orderly system for resolving debt, including the continued application of the Common Framework, where liquidity support alone is not sufficient. In the UK, public debt increased during the pandemic, in line with other countries around the world. In recognition of the risks of high debt, the UK government has already made responsible decisions which return public debt levels to a sustainable path, supported by fiscal rules which require debt to fall as a proportion of GDP over the medium-term.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Ian Khama

Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for (1) Her Majesty’s High Commissioner in Pretoria, and (2) the Prime Minister, to meet former President of Botswana Ian Khama to discuss why he was forced to flee to South Africa.

Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they will offer to the former President of Botswana, Ian Khama,in response to the treatment he has received fromhis successor.

Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Government of Botswana’s use of AfriForum.

Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government whetherthe Minister for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, during her visit to Pretoria on 11 and 12 July, discussed with the government of South Africa former President of Botswana Ian Khama taking refuge in South Africa.

Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported attacks by thegovernment of Botswanaon the South African Reserve Bank and the South African banking system, including RBS/NatWest and Ambassador Bridgette Motsepe.

Lord Hain: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether HerMajesty’s Global Ambassador for Human Rights and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva will engage with Botswana’s Permanent Mission in Geneva on how the government of Botswana intends to comply with UN Special Rapporteurs’ recommendations regarding the threat to former President of Botswana Ian Khama’s life.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: There have not been, nor are there any planned discussions between former President Khama and representatives of the UK Government on these issues. We are aware of the correspondence between the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings and the Government of Botswana regarding former President Khama. These communications form part of the range of direct interactions between the United Nations and a sovereign State, and other States do not tend to intervene in this process. It would not be appropriate for us to comment on the Government of Botswana's choice of legal representation, or its bilateral relationship with the South African institutions referred to. Former President Khama has not sought the assistance of the UK Government.

Capital Punishment

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the governments of (1) the United States of America, (2) Saudi Arabia, (3) China, and (4) Malawi, regarding abolishing the death penalty in those countries.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The United Kingdom strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries and in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. We work through multilateral organisations, such as the UN Human Rights Council and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to raise concerns about the use of the death penalty, as well as through direct conversations with states that continue to retain the death penalty, including with the US, Saudi Arabia, China and Malawi.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to have discussions with the government of the United States of America aboutthe situation ofthe more than 40 former Afghan officials, held at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo, who are reportedly not allowed to leave that camp.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have frequent discussions with our allies and partners, including the US Government, about our respective efforts to resettle eligible, vulnerable Afghan citizens. It is for each country to establish their own arrangements for processing those they deem eligible for resettlement, including crucial security checks.

Maryam Alsyed Tiyrab

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Sudan regarding the death sentence by stoning given to Maryam Alsyed Tiyrab for adultery.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We most strongly condemn the decision of a Sudanese court to sentence Maryam Alsyed Tiyrab to death by stoning for adultery. It is a longstanding policy of the UK Government to oppose the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. Our Embassy in Khartoum has engaged the Sudanese authorities to raise our concerns and seek further clarification on the detail of this case. Sudan's transitional government had made significant progress on human rights, including on legal reforms and the rights of women and girls. It is vital that this progress is not put at risk following the military coup on 25 October.

Darfur: Gender Based Violence

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of (1) an increase in sexual and gender-based violence in the states of Darfur, and (2) the intentional destruction of medical and educational infrastructure in the region between January and May.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Our thoughts are with those affected by the current situation in Darfur, we continue to condemn the violence. On 29 April, the UN Security Council responded to our request by issuing a press statement, calling for the cessation of violence and destruction, the need for Sudanese authorities to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and for transparent investigations into any crimes committed. We have also reinforced our concerns with the Sudanese authorities, most recently during a visit to Khartoum by the UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan on 25-28 June. The UK continues to push for an end to sexual and gender-based violence. Those working to prevent sexual violence against women and girls must be able to do so without fear of reprisal.We understand that the fragile security situation across Sudan has been exacerbated by the political crisis since the military coup. The UK continues to call for all political actors to engage in dialogue to resolve the current crisis, and implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, including deployment of the National Action Plan for Civilian Protection.

Darfur: Crimes against Humanity

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to instigate an assessment of the signs of atrocities in Darfur; and what plans they have to commission a Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability strategic assessment to investigate (1) whether crimes against humanity are being committed, and (2) whether these crimes could develop into genocide.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK and Germany completed a Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS) on Sudan in 2019. This was used by the UK to help support conflict resolution mechanisms, create a supportive regional environment and improve governance by supporting fair power structures. Whilst we have not commissioned a recent JACS on Sudan, the UK continues to work closely with a wide range of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on understanding atrocity prevention, early warning and early response systems.The UK also remains a staunch advocate for justice and accountability for past crimes, something the former Foreign Secretary urged Sudan's leaders to deliver progress on during his visit to Khartoum in January 2021. The Minister for Africa welcomed the start of Ali Kushayb's trial on 5 April in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. We hope that this trial marks a wider process of accountability and reconciliation in Sudan. We continue to support the International Criminal Court Prosecutor in his important work to investigate crimes in Darfur and regularly raise concerns of human rights abuses in international fora such as the UN Human Rights Council. On 7 July, we successful secured a resolution to maintain monitoring and reporting on human rights violations at the UN Human Rights Council.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of recipients of universal credit discouraged from taking employment by the low level of net financial benefit from being employed due to associated costs, such as transport and childcare, known as the "benefit trap".

Baroness Stedman-Scott: No such assessment has been undertaken. UC recipients in work now benefit from a reduction in the UC taper rate from 63% to 55%, and for those eligible customers an increase in the work allowance by £500 per year meaning that working households will be able to keep more of what they earn and strengthening incentives to move into and progress in work. The National Living Wage has risen from £8.91 to £9.50 an hour from 1 April. That means a pay rise for millions of the country’s lowest paid workers – worth an increase of over £1,000 to the annual earnings of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage. The Department is aware that for some UC claimants’ childcare costs presents challenges to entering employment. To support parents to become financially resilient by moving into work and progressing in work, eligible UC claimants can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month regardless of the number of hours they work, compared to 70% in Tax Credits. This is up to the maximum amount of £646.35 per month for one child and £1,108.04 per month for two or more children. For families with two children, this could be worth over £13,000 a year. This support is available to all lone parents and couples, regardless of the number of hours they work. For couples, both parents need to be in paid work to be eligible unless one of the allowable exceptions is met. The UC childcare policy aligns with the wider government childcare offer in England and there are similar funded early learning offers in devolved nations. The Free Childcare offer provides 15 hours a week of free childcare in England for all 3- and 4-year old’s and disadvantaged 2 year old’s, doubling for working parents of 3 and 4 year old’s to 30 hours a week. The UC childcare element can be used to top up a claimant’s eligible free childcare hours if more hours are worked and childcare required. This offer means that for some claimants’ childcare costs should not present any barriers to entering work. UC claimants who need help with upfront childcare costs to enter employment or significantly increase their working hours can apply for help from the Flexible Support Fund (FSF). This is a non-repayable payment that will pay their initial childcare costs directly to the provider up to the first salary received. In order to achieve our long-term goals of driving up productivity and levelling up, we are supporting people in work to ensure they have the right skills and opportunities to progress out of low pay. Through providing right infrastructure we will support an ambitious and productive workforce suited to meet the UK’s future demand. Through a staged rollout from April 2022 onwards, 2.1m low paid Universal Credit claimants will be eligible for support to progress into higher paid work. This will be provided by work coaches and focus on career progression advice, such as considering skills gaps, identifying training opportunities, or looking for opportunities for the claimant to progress in their current role or in a new role. Jobcentres will be supported in this new role by a network of 37 Progression Champions across Great Britain who will spearhead the scheme. They will work with partners to address local barriers that limit progression, such as transport and childcare.

Employment: Health

Baroness Jolly: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will allocate funding to deliver the commitments made in their response to the 'Health is everyone’s business' consultation, published on 4 October 2021; and whether this will include funding for the establishment of a Centre for Work and Health.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: The UK Government committed to provide £1.3bn over the SR21 period for employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions in the Levelling-Up White Paper. This includes commitments set out in joint DWP-DHSC consultation response “Health is Everyone’s Business” (HiEB). We are working with stakeholders including the Medical Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health and Care Research to identify the most efficient and effective way to improve the research infrastructure that supports innovation as outlined in HiEB.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water: Sewage

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan will be ready by 1 September 2022; and when it will be published.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: As set out in the Environment Act (2021), the Government will publish the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan by 1st September 2022.

Flood Control: Housing

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they (1) are taking, and (2) plan to take, to encourage households to (a) store, and (b) provide soakaways for, rainwater; and what assessment they have made of incentivising the adoption of such practices through reductions in (i) council tax, or (ii) water and drainage fixed rates.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We support the use of blue green infrastructure, such as sustainable drainage systems and grey water recycling to manage surface water, across existing and new communities. We have placed a greater emphasis on this in our 25 Year Environment Plan, Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Policy Statement and updated planning policy.We are currently reviewing the implementation of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act (2010). This schedule introduces standards for new sustainable drainage systems and makes connection to public sewers conditional on approval of the drainage system before any construction work can commence. National standards will set out a hierarchy of destinations for surface water runoff to ensure the most effective drainage system is delivered that will help alleviate pressures on the sewer network, as well as reducing flood risk, harvesting rainwater and improving water quality, amenity and biodiversity.As set out in our Written Ministerial Statement on Water Demand in July 2021, we are developing a roadmap towards greater water efficiency in new housing developments and retrofits. This includes the exploration of revised building regulations and how the development of new technologies can contribute to meeting these standards. We will ensure that the underlying legislation can, where appropriate, accommodate any potential future expansion of rainwater harvesting, water re-use and storage options.Households who can show that their premises are not connected to the public sewer for surface water drainage are already entitled to a bill discount via a surface water drainage rebate from their water company.

Avian Influenza: Disease Control

Lord Selkirk of Douglas: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to coordinate a response to the outbreak of avian influenza in seabird colonies across Britain, (2) to put in place a surveillance programme that will improve the early detection of avian flu in wild bird populations in the future, and (3) to (a) plan for, and (b) mitigate the risk of, the spread of avian flu to other species, including marine mammals such as grey seals.

Lord Benyon: The UK’s seabirds are an important part of our natural heritage, and their protection is a high priority for the Government. We recognise the significant threat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses to our seabird populations. Defra is working with Devolved Administrations, Arm’s Length Bodies and charities to monitor and respond to the effect of avian influenza on wild birds. This includes providing advice on mitigation measures that can be put in place to both protect public health and the impact on wild birds where possible. However, avian influenza is a natural transmission process in wild birds and there is limited evidence that mitigation measures are effective at reducing mortality or morbidity in seabird colonies. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) operate a robust programme of wild bird surveillance across Great Britain and engages in year-round avian influenza surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols. Between 25 October 2021 and 8 July 2022, over 3,000 wild birds have been tested. Of these, 1422 have tested positive for H5 HPAI. There have been findings in 343 different locations in 61 different species in 78 different counties. A report (updated weekly) of findings of HPAI in wild birds is published on GOV.UK together with outbreak and risk assessments (www.gov.uk/government/publications/avian-influenza-in-wild-birds). Last month a new consortium was launched, led by Defra and APHA, to fund research to look into how avian influenza viruses are emerging in wild populations and help us understand the risk posed to both domestic and wild birds. While avian influenza viruses are predominantly considered a pathogen of birds, the virus can infect mammals. While there is no routine surveillance for avian influenza in seals in Great Britain, causes of death of stranded marine mammals are monitored and investigated through the Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme and Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme. Where appropriate, stranded seals are tested for avian influenza in collaboration with the APHA avian influenza National Reference Laboratory.

Controlled Burning

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to investigate the data from the monitoring reports by the RSPB and Unearthed which suggest that over50 burns in protected areashave taken place that may be in breach of the Heather and Grass Etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will review the effectiveness of the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021given evidence from the RSPB and Unearthed suggesting widespread breaches.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Reports of suspected unlawful burning received by Defra are being assessed and reviewed.  Early indications are that only a small number of those presented to us may represent a potential breach of the regulations. Suspected breaches will be investigated, with the outcomes forming part of our ongoing review of the effectiveness of the Regulations.

Home Office

General Practitioners: Migrant Workers

Lord Naseby: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in the negotiations between the Department of Health and Social Care and the Home Office regarding the approximately 1,000 foreign GPs working for the NHS who are threatened with deportation because they do not meet the requirements of the skilled worker scheme.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Deportation relates to the removal from the UK of Foreign Nationals who are serious or persistent criminal offenders. It is wrong to suggest 1,000 foreign national GPs fall within this category or to imply they have been threatened with this by the Home Office. We therefore would not be having any negotiations with the Department for Health and Social Care on this basis.General Practitioner (GP) is a role which qualifies for the Skilled Worker Visa, in particular the Health and Care visa which makes it easier, cheaper, and quicker for health workers – including GPs - to come to the UK to work compared to other immigration routes. This route also exempts them from the need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.The Home Office works with employers in the sector to ensure they can recruit under the Skilled Worker route by becoming a licensed sponsor, with tens of thousands of employers having done so, including many small and medium size businesses. Those who are licensed sponsors can recruit for any role which qualifies for the Skilled Worker Visa.

Refugees: Syria

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to expand the terms of reference of the UK Resettlement Scheme; whether the Scheme is available to (1) British nationals, and (2) the children of British nationals, in detention camps in North-East Syria; and if so, what plans they have to communicate this to such individuals.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The UK is a global leader in resettlement. Since 2015, we have resettled more than 27,000 refugees through safe and legal routes direct from regions of conflict and instability - around half of whom were children.There are currently no plans to expand the terms of reference of the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS). The UK will continue to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to receive referrals of vulnerable refugees from across the globe.Our approach is to resettle refugees in line with the global need identified by UNHCR who will refer individuals in accordance with their standard resettlement categories and policies, based on an assessment of protection needs and vulnerabilities.British nationals or their dependants would not be referred for resettlement under the UKRS. However, the government does seek to facilitate the return of British orphans and unaccompanied minors from North-East Syria where feasible, subject to national security concerns, and on a case-by-case basis. In line with this policy, the government has already facilitated the return of several orphaned and unaccompanied British children to the UK and will continue to do so.

Cabinet Office

Privy Council

Lord Lamont of Lerwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government which minister made the decision (1) to reduce the size of the Accession Council, and (2) to hold a ballot of Privy Councillors to attend the Council.

Lord True: The decision not to summons all Privy Counsellors to the next Accession Council, and to hold a ballot of Privy Counsellors not eligible to attend on an ex officio basis, was taken with the collective agreement of the Lord President of the Council and Number 10. The Royal Household was also consulted on the basis of this collective advice. This decision-making process is consistent with the decision-making process for previous Accession Councils. The decision to reduce the size of the Accession Council and to hold a ballot for those ineligible to attend on an ex officio basis applies to all Privy Councillors, regardless of their nationality or their usual place of residence. St. James’s Palace is the senior Royal Palace in the United Kingdom and the Court of St. James is the Royal Court to which all Realm High Commissioners are accredited. St. James’s Palace has therefore long been agreed to be the most appropriate setting for the Accession Council. In any case, Westminster Hall will not be available to host the Accession Council because an intensive and time critical series of works will begin on the Parliamentary estate, including Westminster Hall, as soon as Demise is announced. The purpose of these works is to prepare the estate and surrounding areas for significant elements of ceremonial and procedural activity. Hosting the Accession Council in Westminster Hall would prevent the completion of these critical works, resulting in significant disruption to other national activity. Attendance at an Accession Council is not a statutory matter and there is no constitutional requirement to consult Privy Counsellors on any amendments to attendance arrangements. Decisions on attendance arrangements for future Accession Councils will be taken at the appropriate time.

Conservative Party

Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (1) civil servants, and (2) special advisers, in 10 Downing Street are restricted from commenting on the process to elect a new leader of the Conservative Party.

Lord True: The Civil Service should act as it did during previous periods in 2016 and 2019. Official resources must not be used to support leadership campaign activity. As at all times, the Civil Service must serve the Government in a way which maintains political impartiality and retains the confidence of Ministers, while at the same time ensuring it will be able to establish the same relationship with those who may go on to lead the Government. Special advisers are exempt from the Civil Service Code requirement of political impartiality. Therefore, as laid out in the Special Adviser Code of Conduct, their involvement in political activity does not need to be restricted in the same way as it is for other civil servants. All Special Advisers have been made aware of the expectations regarding their role and conduct during this period. If they wish to take part in leadership campaign activity, they must do so in their own time, out of office hours or via unpaid leave, and not involve the use of departmental resources.

Conservative Party: Elections

Lord Lamont of Lerwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Cabinet Secretary has issued any new guidelines to Special Advisers in 10 Downing Street relating to their role during the period in which the new leader of the Conservative Party is being elected.

Lord True: The Civil Service should act as it did during previous periods in 2016 and 2019. Official resources must not be used to support leadership campaign activity. As at all times, the Civil Service must serve the Government in a way which maintains political impartiality and retains the confidence of Ministers, while at the same time ensuring it will be able to establish the same relationship with those who may go on to lead the Government. Special advisers are exempt from the Civil Service Code requirement of political impartiality. Therefore, as laid out in the Special Adviser Code of Conduct, their involvement in political activity does not need to be restricted in the same way as it is for other civil servants. All Special Advisers have been made aware of the expectations regarding their role and conduct during this period. If they wish to take part in leadership campaign activity, they must do so in their own time, out of office hours or via unpaid leave, and not involve the use of departmental resources.

Redundancy Pay

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what payments will be made to each of the ministers who recently resigned from the Government; and whether they have plans to introduce legislation to make employers liable for similar payments to those who voluntarily resign from the (1) public, and (2) private, sector.

Lord True: Under the provisions of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, a former minister only becomes entitled to a severance payment in the event that they are not appointed to another relevant office within three weeks of stepping down. The provision of severance payments is set out in legislation, passed by Parliament, that has been applied by successive administrations over a significant period. Severance pay reflects the unpredictable nature of ministerial office.

Department for International Trade

Overseas Trade: Republic of Ireland

Lord Hay of Ballyore: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of jobs in the Republic of Ireland dependent on trade with the UK in June.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: Experimental estimates published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report around 207,000 workers in the Republic of Ireland were supported by exports to the UK in 2018 (latest year for which estimates are available). More timely estimates for June 2022 or estimates for employment supported by total trade between the Republic of Ireland and the UK (exports plus imports), are not available. Source: OECD Trade in Employment (2021 ed.) database, https://www.oecd.org/sti/ind/trade-in-employment.htm